Microsoft Opens Up Xbox One Controller to Windows

Microsoft on Thursday provided drivers that enable the Xbox One wireless controller to work with Windows via a micro-USB cable (which is not included with the controller). Once installed, the Xbox One controller can be used with any game that featured gamepad support for the Xbox 360 controller.

"We know our fans have wanted PC compatibility, and we know they wanted to be able to use the Xbox One controller with the same games and applications they have been playing with using the Xbox 360 controller," a Microsoft blog post notes. "We can't wait for them to play their favorite PC games with what we consider the best controller ever made and we're excited for fans to experience the improved D-pad, redesigned battery compartment, new comfortable design and offset analog sticks. Simply download the drivers, connect your Xbox One controller to your computer through a micro USB cable and you'll be gaming in no time."

Microsoft will be making the drivers available via Windows Update in the near future, so going forward Windows users will simply be able to plug in an Xbox One wireless controller and begin gaming.

But if you don't want to wait, you can download the appropriate drivers now using the following links. I assume these work with at least Windows 7 and Windows 8.x, though Microsoft doesn't specify OS compatibility for some reason.